Upon reading this I recalled that I owned Cicely Mary Barker's book as a child, and loved it dearly, and have treasured flowers and natural places as magical all of my life.
Up until recently, I had all to readily dismissed it as twee, but at least I can now appreciate her wonderful work. thanks for taking the time to read it.
This is fascinating! I knew about the Flower Fairies, of course, and always liked Cicely Mary Barker's illustrations, but I didn't know much about her background and am very glad to have learned so much more from your article. Thank you!
Incidentally, I hadn't heard of the Elfin Oak (even though I lived near London for some years, I don't think I ever visited Kensington Gardens, which I now realise I should have done) — but in Australia, where I grew up, we have a very similar tree in the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne! I visited it a few years ago for the first time since my childhood and was delighted to find the carvings have been restored — they were looking rather sad and faded when I was little. Here are some pictures and info:
Hi Courtney. I had never heard of Fitzroy Gardens, those carvings on your fairy try in Aus look really similar to the Elfin Oak. Thanks for the link too. Best wishes Vincent
I didn't know of Mary Cicely Barker until I was an adult looking for books for my own children, and Cicely Mary Barker quickly became one of our favorites. (The opposite of your story.) Thanks for introducing me to her own history.
I enjoyed this piece, too, Vincent! Have you encountered the concept of Mason's "Great Recognition" in your research? It connects to Firth and Ruskin, and this line from your piece made me think about it:
"Barker saw no contradiction between her fairy paintings and her religious art. The Flower Fairies are not pagan. They are a celebration of the natural world made by a woman who believed that world was God’s creation, and that painting it truthfully was a form of praise."
Thank you so much for your really thoughtful comment, and there is so much on Ambleside Online to discover. What a treasure trove of information. I only discovered Charlotte Mason two weeks ago, and what I am discovering is that her conviction about living books and real art isn't merely pedagogical — it's theological. For Charlotte Mason, the curriculum is sacred ground, and ‘twaddle’ isn't just boring, it's obstructive. That changes the weight of everything I've been writing about to date. And you're right, the Cicely Barker connection is direct. Painting a flower from life with devotion and trusting the child to receive it ‘is’ the Great Recognition
This was such an enjoyable read. Thank you. I'll admit I too was a little dismissive of her fairy art until reading this. Thank you for giving me a different perspective.
Upon reading this I recalled that I owned Cicely Mary Barker's book as a child, and loved it dearly, and have treasured flowers and natural places as magical all of my life.
Up until recently, I had all to readily dismissed it as twee, but at least I can now appreciate her wonderful work. thanks for taking the time to read it.
This is fascinating! I knew about the Flower Fairies, of course, and always liked Cicely Mary Barker's illustrations, but I didn't know much about her background and am very glad to have learned so much more from your article. Thank you!
Incidentally, I hadn't heard of the Elfin Oak (even though I lived near London for some years, I don't think I ever visited Kensington Gardens, which I now realise I should have done) — but in Australia, where I grew up, we have a very similar tree in the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne! I visited it a few years ago for the first time since my childhood and was delighted to find the carvings have been restored — they were looking rather sad and faded when I was little. Here are some pictures and info:
https://beautifulbooks.info/2019/01/ola-cohn-the-stories-of-the-fairy-tree/
Hi Courtney. I had never heard of Fitzroy Gardens, those carvings on your fairy try in Aus look really similar to the Elfin Oak. Thanks for the link too. Best wishes Vincent
What an utterly captivating read. Thank you for sharing 💚✨️
Hi Moggin. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it. Currently I am deep in Boggins territory and very much enjoying what I'm finding.
That makes Moggin and me very happy indeed ❤️
I didn't know of Mary Cicely Barker until I was an adult looking for books for my own children, and Cicely Mary Barker quickly became one of our favorites. (The opposite of your story.) Thanks for introducing me to her own history.
Hi Rachelle. You are most welcome and thank you for taking the time to read it.
Wonderful essay 🙏
Thank you Magherita, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I enjoyed this piece, too, Vincent! Have you encountered the concept of Mason's "Great Recognition" in your research? It connects to Firth and Ruskin, and this line from your piece made me think about it:
"Barker saw no contradiction between her fairy paintings and her religious art. The Flower Fairies are not pagan. They are a celebration of the natural world made by a woman who believed that world was God’s creation, and that painting it truthfully was a form of praise."
You can read more about it here: https://amblesideonline.org/ParentsReview/07-052greatrecognition. I think you'll enjoy it!
@The Discerning Home Educator.
Thank you so much for your really thoughtful comment, and there is so much on Ambleside Online to discover. What a treasure trove of information. I only discovered Charlotte Mason two weeks ago, and what I am discovering is that her conviction about living books and real art isn't merely pedagogical — it's theological. For Charlotte Mason, the curriculum is sacred ground, and ‘twaddle’ isn't just boring, it's obstructive. That changes the weight of everything I've been writing about to date. And you're right, the Cicely Barker connection is direct. Painting a flower from life with devotion and trusting the child to receive it ‘is’ the Great Recognition
For such a "newbie" to Charlotte Mason, Vincent, you absolutely "get it"! What a gift.
Best,
Dawn
Thank you Dawn. Perhaps it is because faith opens our eyes, and more importantly our hearts to truth whenever we come across it.
Wonderful article. Have you been to Rackham Woods near Storrington? Truly fairy country.
Thanks Alexander. No I haven't been there. That is one to visit for sure.
HI Tracy. Thank you so much for restacking, really kind of you. Best wishes Vincent.
Hi Miss Evelyn. Thank you so much for restacking. Best wishes Vincent
This was such an enjoyable read. Thank you. I'll admit I too was a little dismissive of her fairy art until reading this. Thank you for giving me a different perspective.